Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America by Allen C. Guelzo (Simon & Schuster, 2008).With the 150th anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas debates coming this year, a number of books aiming for broad consumption have been released already..with more surely to come. I would imagine that this one will be at or near the top when all is said and done.

Lincoln and the Decision for War: The Northern Response to Secession by Russell McClintock (University of North Carolina Press, 2008).I was a little premature in listing this arrival back in January. I am greatly looking forward to this one. So many secession studies concentrate on the viewpoints of the radical elements of Confederate society and the response of the Lincoln administration. More recently, Nelson Lankford expanded our regional understanding with his excellent discussion of the debates among influential thought leaders of the Upper South. Hopefully, McClintock's book will provide us with a broad cross section of northern opinion.

Bloody Dawn by Thomas Goodrich (Kent State Univ. Press, 1991).In my opinion, this is the best historical account of the "Lawrence Massacre". Among Goodrich's many publications, it is also his most detailed and complete book (IMO, anyway). Wife, Deb Goodrich, has a feisty, entertaining blog with a fair amount of Civil War content as well.

Generally I’ve no problems at all – Amazon is pretty solid and I usually receive all ordered stuff in 9-12 days. When there is a need to order a book from other place I give this job to local internet bookstore and patiently waiting for a book - in this way for example I purchased a copy of Gottschalk’s book on Missouri Brigade from some forgotten bookshop in Arizona:)

BTW, living so far from US I greatly appreciate blogs like your as I can learn from it what is going on in ACW society.

Hi! I was researching the best books on the Trans Mississippi West Campaign in the Civil War, and was wondering if you had any suggestions--I stumbled upon your blog while researching. It seems that you are pretty well read in Civil War books. Thanks!~julie

Julie,You might want to just browse through my reviews (go to the sidebar on the right side of the page, under Categories and click on the T-M theater book reviews). Also, if you click on the "Reading Lists" link and scroll down that page you'll find several lists of T-M books I have recommended in the past.